My group was assigned to read The Short Bus by Jonathan Mooney. For the first literary assignment we decided to read all of part one in the book. When I first began reading this book I honestly was surprised I did not hate it. Normally this is not the type of book I would choose to read. As I got further into the book, I actually began to enjoy reading it. Some parts are better then others however it is a decent book. I really started to understand special education and the way these students feel. The way Mooney writes, puts you in the main characters shoes, therefore it is almost as if you can understand how he feels. Growing up feeling, "not normal" and like you have to try to be "normal" can be painful and cause you to feel like you don't matter. Being of special needs can change a persons entire life, not just their school career. The main character Jon, still faces difficulties with self identity and understanding how to feel when he is grown up and graduated from Brown University. My favorite part of the book is when Jon decides to go on a four month journey on his short bus that he just bought. The purpose of his journey is to talk to other students with special needs and to help them through this rough time. Personally, I think Jon is also doing this to help himself and get insight on his past, present and future. He wants to understand who he really is and finally be comfortable in his own skin. Jon has talked to several people so far on his journey. Not only has he observed how they live their lives but he tends to relate their experiences to his own. I am learning a lot about special education I never knew and I really like how this book is not only interesting but is teaching me something at the same time.
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